A new post by the Orbitz Insider Index has just announced the busiest airports for Thanksgiving, with Chicago, Los Angeles and Denver taking the top three spots. Interestingly enough, New York-area airports ranked 7-9, narrowly beating Seattle which squeezed itself into the number 10 spot.

Where to expect the smallest crowds? Check out San Jose, CA, followed by Nashville and then Richmond, VA.

But, regardless of your departure site and/or destination, there are some friendly and useful tips that just may make your holiday travel a little bit easier.

Go small and flexible

You will find that planning in advance can make all the difference. One thing to think about before buying those tickets is whether or not you can fly out of smaller, alternative airports. Typically, these usually commuter-based hubs are much easier to navigate and less crowded. For example, if you are traveling in or out of New York, consider White Plains Westchester County Airport (HPN). Heading into or out of Los Angeles? Check out the scene in Burbank (BUR) or Orange County (SNA). Sure, tickets in or out of these airports tend to be in a higher price range, but you never know. Besides, sometimes time and aggravation outweigh all costs.

Save time

If at all possible, use online check-in. You will instantly bypass half the line-time. Print your boarding pass at home, and have them (and your ID) ready as you approach the security line. Most major airports now offer easy-to-use baggage check kiosks if you are traveling with luggage.

Stay informed

Check the status of your flight before you leave for the airport, as well as traffic conditions en route. There are a multitude of online and mobile tools that offer free flight status updates for your PDA or mobile phone. Also, most airlines offer real-time flight stats on their websites.

Also, staying informed means staying safe. Airport security can be a daunting endeavor -  Keep anything and everything you need to show airport security such as ID, boarding passes, liquids in a zip-top bag, or medication, in a separate compartment of your carry-on bag. Digging for these items once you get to the front of the security line will cause delays and certainly not make you any friends.

Get going

So, what are you waiting for? Lock-in early-bird rates before they hit the roof. Now that you got these key points in mind, nothing can stop you. Travel speedy, and have a great holiday season!

The application allows iPhone holders to find Show Your Card & Save® vendors and services based on GPS functionality. With over 110,000 location being served digitally to over 51 million AAA members throughout the states, that is a lot of money being saved while on the road.

“At a time when saving money is a top priority, this free application is just one more way AAA is helping members save,” said Gail Acebes, director, AAA Partnership Programs. “We are pleased so many are taking advantage of an easy way to find discounts.”

The AAA Discounts iPhone app acquires the user’s location automatically, displays nearby AAA Show Your Card & Save locations and allows users to pan and zoom on a regional map. It also displays key information including the name, address, phone, distance from location and a summary of the discount details. Users can filter listings by category and have one click access to a route map and narrative directions. The AAA Discounts app works on the iPod Touch as well when the user has access to WiFi.

First in a series of AAA applications planned for the iPhone, AAA Discounts can be obtained in two ways: via an iPhone by clicking on the App Store icon and searching “AAA Discounts” or by downloading iTunes on your computer and searching “AAA Discounts” in the App Store. The application uses components of AAA’s TripTik(R) Travel Planner in combination with iPhone GPS capabilities.

While all users can view locations offering discounts, only members can take advantage of savings and access RESPONSE-based AAA roadside assistance. When members use the iPhone to place a call to AAA, their GPS location is transmitted along with the call. More than 2,000 roadside assistance requests have been made since the app was launched. Non-members also can apply for membership via the AAA Discounts app.

AAA’s Show Your Card & Save program is the largest member discount program in the world offering more than 164,000 locations for savings worldwide including 110,000 retail locations in North America and popular online retailers including Target.com, FTD.com, The UPS Store, BlueNile.com, Lens Crafters and more. Visit www.AAA.com/discounts for a complete list of retailers and offers.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

iFly Airport Guide provides flyers with detailed information covering terminal services and amenities like restaurant and store locations and hours, internet availability, terminal and parking maps, airline locations, route maps, and ground transportation options.

iFly Pro adds a powerful flight tracking capability, allowing flyers to get instant status on thousands of global flights using a rich user interface. iFly Pro provides map-based tracking with weather radar, terminal, gate, and baggage claim info, as well as flight delay and cancellation notification.

“We recognized there were some great travel applications on mobile platforms, but nobody had the depth and breadth of data needed to be really useful to the traveler on the go,” said Tony Hanseder, President of iFly.com.

The iFly apps provide airport information on hundreds of airports, including airport & flight status, directions, terminal maps, parking, layover ideas, security wait times, and more – filling an informational void felt by many frustrated air travlers.

iFly.com combines air travel planning, trip purchasing, and flight monitoring into a single web portal.

“When you’re flying, you need to know the layout of the terminals, what services and amenities are available, and how to get around,” said Hanseder. “Other mission critical information includes flight status (pro version) terminal maps, gate locations and baggage claim details. With iFly Airport Guide or iFly Pro, you’re a fully informed traveler.”

The guides alert travelers where their arrival gate is and what stores and restaurants are there, how to get to their departure terminal or into town, where to change money, and much more. An additional ‘Traveler Help’ feature is packed with useful topics such as airline-specific baggage requirements, travel with kids or pets, and even provides tips on layovers.

For more information, visit http://www.ifly.com.

Trekaroo is the first trip planning website that is designed specifically to help parents overcome the stress of traveling with kids. Trekaroo takes intuitive tools and combines them with the power of a fast-growing, grassroots community of moms and dads. Now, any parent can join Trekaroo to revolutionize the way that families plan their trips.

Trekaroo is the brainchild of Brennan and LiLing Pang, fanatic travelers who were determined not to let parenthood stop their quest to see the world. When their eldest son was only 4 months old, they took him to the stunning ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru. But as they soon discovered, “Traveling around the world with a young child caused great anxiety,” says LiLing Pang. “I wanted to find other parents who had been to Peru with their kids and absorb every ounce of wisdom I could from their experiences. But there weren’t any resources to help me connect with the parents who had the answers.”

That’s when the 35-year-old Pangs decided to start Trekaroo. The colorful and fun site connects users to a community of families who have traveled to popular destinations all over the U.S., and soon around the world. Parents also have access to powerful search tools that allow them to discover tips and ideas based on their budget or their children’s ages. But the site’s biggest asset is clearly the capability to exchange information between parents who travel.

“I love the community aspect of Trekaroo,” says Kelly Pywtorak, a Californian mother of two who recently used the site for her family’s first big out-of-state vacation to Virginia. “Even though I don’t personally know many people who have traveled to Virginia, I can go to Trekaroo and find families who have been there and get their recommendations. I can even ask them questions! There really is no other resource like it out there on the Internet.”

Trekaroo also features high-quality content from the Fun with the Family series (Globe Pequot Press), travel bookings powered by Expedia/IAN, and access to 100,000+ home rental properties through its partnership with Vacapedia.com, one of the leading aggregators of vacation homes worldwide.

Trekaroo’s long-term goal is to be the advocate for families when it comes to travel-related businesses. “The travel and hospitality industry often neglects the needs of families in order to serve its corporate clients,” says Esther Lee, co-founder and CEO of Trekaroo. “US family travel represents a $60 billion market, and we are committed to giving those families a voice that will be heard by the industry.” While seeing the world through a child’s eyes is often as challenging as it is rewarding, Trekaroo aims to mitigate those challenges and to help families create great memories and even greater childhoods. “Traveling together as a family will never be the same,” explains Lee.

For more information, visit Trekaroo on the web.

“On your next trip away from home, take the opportunity to be picky and turn your travels into a time where you actually feel great in your body and have the energy to do things that you want and need to do,” said actress and author Mariel Hemingway. “Make treats actual treats and indulge in moderation and you will find you enjoy them even more.

“Staying healthy while you travel is your choice. Make your next getaway enjoyable for the body, mind and spirit.”

“Practicing good health habits at home will make it easier to translate those same habits to your next vacation,” said John Sessler, vice president of Travelers Advantage and TravelersAdvantage.com. “But even if you’re not on the good-health wagon, it’s easier than you think to get started when you travel.”

The experts at Travelers Advantage and I offer some of the following tips to help you stay healthier — and happier — on your next trip:

• Avoid eating “fast and easy” food — That little sack of peanuts may seem harmless, but in reality is packed with sugars and carbohydrates. While you can’t bring your own beverages from home on a plane, you can bring your own food. Pack a healthy snack at home (try raw nuts, fruit or a veggie sandwich) and avoid the burger and fries at the airport food court for your trip. If you’re on the road, avoid the chip aisle and look for a freshly prepared sandwich, fruit cup or nuts without loads of extra salt and sugar.
• Bring your workout gear — Regardless of if it’s for work or pleasure, you shouldn’t have to abandon your workout routine when you’re on the road. Today, most hotels have some sort of workout room. You don’t have to do your full-circuit training, but fit in 30 to 45 minutes of exercise a day. Not only will you have more energy, but that inevitable treat that’s outside your usual diet will not make you feel as guilty. Even if you don’t have access to a workout area, try doing sit-ups, push-ups, squats or lunges in your own room, or take a walk around the area you’re staying. Traveling on foot is by far one of the best ways to get to see a new place so take advantage of the opportunity.
• Be proactive about your health — Get plenty of rest when you’re on the road regardless if you’re traveling for work or play. This will allow your body to recharge and keep your front-line defenses in top shape. Frequently wash your hands, especially when traveling through busy airports or other high-traffic, public places. If you’re traveling abroad (especially outside of Europe), make yourself aware of any potential issues with public water sources. And while trying the local cuisine can be a great experience, ensure meat is fully cooked and buy smart if you chose to buy from local street vendors.
• Take special care on airplanes — If you’re traveling by plane, dab sesame oil in your nose to keep from getting dried out and becoming susceptible to illness. Silver spray, a product that can be picked up from almost any health food store, is also a great way to help boost your immune system while it attacks any germs you may pick up.

About Mariel Hemingway
Mariel Hemingway made her silver screen debut at 13 years old in “Lipstick,” and was nominated for an Oscar four years later for Woody Allen’s “Manhattan.” She has starred in some 30 films. Currently, she is producing a film based on her grandfather’s epic best-seller “A Moveable Feast,” a set of memoirs of his experiences in Paris in the 1920s. In addition to her film career, she found a passion for holistic and balanced living. She’s written two books and conducts wellness retreats across the country sharing her insights about yoga, meditation, nutrition and home. She is currently working on a cookbook called Mariel’s Kitchen Cookbook that will be released by Harper San Francisco Publishers in the spring of 2009. Hemingway is the mother of two teenage daughters.

About Travelers Advantage
Members of Travelers Advantage (http://www.travelersadvantage.com or 1-877-841-1335) can save money on air travel, cruises, car rentals and accommodations, as well as earn five percent cash back on eligible travel booked with preferred providers through the service. Travelers Advantage is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.

Ship Your Gifts. Travelers should not pack wrapped gifts or bring wrapped gifts to the security checkpoint at the airport. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may have to unwrap packages for security reasons. Consider shipping holiday gifts to your destination ahead of time. Travel Guard can help arrange for this.

Carry On Your Luggage. If you pack wisely and carry on your luggage, you can save time checking in, avoid the check-bagged fees many airlines now charge, and give yourself more flexibility for taking alternative flights if yours is delayed or cancelled. Worried about all those holiday gifts you planned to bring along? See tip 1 above!

Book Direct Flights Departing as Early as Possible. Many of the headaches travelers experience during the holidays occur from missed connections, the need to rebook flights, or getting stuck in a strange city. Preserve your sanity by booking direct flights whenever possible, and book the earliest departing flight you can.

Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates. The busiest (and most expensive) days to travel by air are the day before and the day after a holiday. To avoid the crowds and get a better price, consider leaving earlier and returning a day or two later.

Get to The Airport Early. With airport delays and holiday crowds, plan to arrive at the airports at least two hours before your departure time for both outbound and inbound trips. Check out TSA’s website, waittime.tsa.dhs.gov to get information on waiting times for security checkpoints at all airports.

Bring Your Numbers. Bring the phone numbers of your travel agent and the travel assistance hotline of your travel insurance plan provider. This can be a real lifeline if you experience unpredictable situations such as flight delays, cancellations and over-booked flights, etc.

If Your Flight Is Cancelled: Immediately call your travel agency’s 24/7 emergency travel service to get assistance in rebooking your flight. Travel Guard is one of the few travel insurance plan providers that also offers this service to its clients. You’ll get rebooked a lot more quickly than if you wait in line at the airline counter. Plus, you can get help with lodging and ground transportation if the next available flight requires an overnight stay.

Don’t Forget the Travel Insurance. “Things can and do happen that can force you to either cancel or interrupt your trip,” said McGinnity. “A travel insurance plan can cover your holiday travel investment, and also provide you with 24/7 assistance for virtually any situation you may encounter. It could be the most useful item you pack for your holiday travels.”

Travel Guard offers a number of comprehensive travel insurance plans that provide reimbursement for trip cancellation, interruption, as well as delays due to covered reasons, lost, stolen or delayed baggage, and emergency medical expenses, including medical evacuation. Most of these plans also include a full range of personal and travel assistance services that customers can access before and during their trip.

The complete family of travel insurance and assistance service plans available through Travel Guard can be purchased online at http://www.travelguard.com.

About Travel Guard
Travel Guard Group is one of America’s leading providers of travel insurance plans for more than 6 million travelers each year. Travel insurance plans through Travel Guard are distributed by more than 12,000 travel agents across the United States.

Travel insurance plans through Travel Guard may include coverage for trip cancellation, travel interruptions and delays, emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation expenses, and lost or delayed baggage. Most plans also include 24-hour travel assistance services* for emergency medical assistance, last-minute or emergency travel changes, lost luggage tracking, pre-trip travel advice, and more.

The travel insurance offered through Travel Guard is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., with its principal place of business in New York, N.Y. The policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions. All coverages may not available in all states. *Non insurance assistance services are provided by Travel Guard Assist.

• Start with a durable, 22-inch rolling bag, which is the maximum carry-on size. “Remember, you get what you pay for so it’s a good idea to get a better bag with a better guarantee. You’ll be happier in the long run,” Bob says. He notes that while both Travelpro and Briggs & Riley make excellent bags, he finds that he most often recommends Eagle Creek’s Tarmac carry-on, which is several pounds lighter than competing bags without giving away anything in looks or durability or warranty coverage.
• Add additional carry-on packing space with a tote or small duffel as your “personal bag.” Along with your in-flight comfort and entertainment items, it will hold any “overflow” necessities from your larger carry-on as well. You’ll store it under the seat. While the airlines offer no guidelines for the maximum size allowable for this bag, you should be okay if it’s soft-sided and no bigger than 18 x 12 x 10. And make sure it has a slip panel so it can fit over the handle of your rolling bag, plus a comfortable shoulder strap for when you’ll need to carry it.
• Use packing organizers. “It seems counter-intuitive at first,” Bob says, “because you’d think the organizers would take up space. But they actually compress your belongings and make it easier to fit more. You can start with an overstuffed bag and repack it with the help of some organizers, and suddenly everything will fit neatly and easily.” Organizers are also a big help if the TSA decides to search your bag–which inevitably happens when you are on the tightest schedule. Bob notes that Eagle Creek offers organizers in lots of sizes for everything from electronics to a week’s worth of shirts and pants.
• Your jacket is the bulkiest item in your travel wardrobe. So don’t pack it. Either wear it or carry it separately. You can stuff the pockets with your phone, watch, sunglasses and change when you are passing through security, and you’ll always find room for it in the overhead.
• Design your wardrobe around two or three complementary colors for an array of outfits from just a few garments. Travel clothing companies, such as ExOfficio and Royal Robbins, design their lines around color schemes, and generally offer lightweight, quick drying, and wrinkle-resistant garments. Many also feature built-in sun protection.
• If you really need to take your laptop, buy a simple protective sleeve for it and carry it in your tote. “Unless you’re on a business trip and you have a very large briefcase, your tote will hold more and the padded sleeve will provide plenty of protection for your computer,” notes Nancy. She says their newest sleeves, from GreenSmart, offer excellent protection and are made of recycled plastic bottles.
• Travel-specific socks and underwear can save precious space. Made of modern synthetics, these travel garments are as soft and comfortable as their conventional counterparts yet pack smaller and dry overnight after a quick hand wash, the Bestor’s say. “You can get by on just a couple sets and a small bottle of detergent,” Bob notes.
• Take items that offer more than one use. “Microfiber travel towels are always great to take on a trip–they pack down into a small package, they dry quickly, and you never know when you will be stuck somewhere without a towel,” says Nancy. But she points out that a large travel towel can easily double as a blanket, sarong or even shawl.
• When in doubt – leave it out! Or as Nancy puts it, “If you want to get away from it all, don’t take it all with you!”

Travel Essentials is a local, family-run business, owned by Robert and Nancy Bestor since 1994. For more information about Travel Essentials’ store or products, visit http://www.TravelEssentials.com or call 1-800-258-0758.

Achim Steiner, UN-Under Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, said: “Tourism, the world’s biggest industry is booming. By 2020, the number of international arrivals by air and by sea could reach 1.6 billion annually.

“This growth brings the prospect of income and economic development to countless tourist destinations in rich and poor countries alike. The challenge is to manage this growth sustainably. Governments have a key role to play, but so too do individuals and families when planning and going on holiday,” he said.

“Many consumers are now making green domestic choices from sourcing electricity from renewable sources and choosing eco-friendly investments up to buying leaner and greener cars. Packing a Green Passport along with airline tickets, the swimming costume and the sun lotion means tourists no longer need to leave their green credentials at home but can make them part of the holiday of a life-time,” added Mr Steiner.

Stefanos Fotiou, head of UNEP’s tourism unit, said: “By browsing the Green Passport web site consumers will be able to find practical tips to help them reduce their environmental and social footprint while they are on vacations. Tourists will discover that traveling green is not as hard as they imagined.

In 2007, international tourist arrivals reached nearly 900 million and by the end of the decade this number is expected to reach more than one billion. As tourist numbers grow, so will their demand for energy, water, and natural resources to support their holidays.

“There are some encouraging signs in terms of market response to the problem. Tourists are increasingly expressing concern about the quality of the environment at their holiday destinations,” said Fotiou. “However, there is clearly a gap to fill in order to shift from discussions on responsible holidays to concrete actions.”

The new UNEP campaign will provide information to tourists to help them prevent some of their impacts by avoiding certain behaviors that greatly affect the environment and the society. The green travel tips are addressing all the holiday’s cycle, from travel planning and packaging to the way back home. For example, the campaign encourages tourists to:

• Choose responsible service providers

• Reduce the consumption of energy while on the road or in their hotel

• Buy locally made and environmentally friendly souvenirs

The Campaign has been launched by UNEP, jointly with and the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Spatial Planning and the Brazilian Ministries of Environment and Tourism. It is an initiative of the International Task Force on Sustainable Tourism Development, firmly rooted in the move to accelerate a global shift towards sustainable consumption and production (SCP) that emerged from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), held in Johannesburg in 2002.

The Green Passport web site is one outcome of this process. The web site, developed in English, Portuguese and French, together with additional communication tools (website and leaflet/brochure), is now available for dissemination by new partners to raise awareness in the tourism community.

For more information please visit: www.unep.fr/greenpassport.

Whether traveling near or far, along or with a group, choosing a destination as well as its corresponding sights, activities and recreation can sometimes seem to be a job in and of itself. With advertising media pushing each prospect relentlessly, it is easy to find yourself in a struggle to, ironically, relax. But planning a trip can and should be enjoyable, as if it were actually a part of the trip itself!

Below are some tips to keep in mind when starting the process. Keep it in mind, and the experience will be far more enjoyable and stress-free.

Relaxation
Different people tend to relax in different ways. How do you do it? Perhaps you prefer to veg out on the couch with a good movie or book. Or maybe stretch your muscles with exercise or yoga? Some may even prefer a walk in the city with their iPod thumping in their ears. Whatever the case, try to incorporate your particular avenue of relaxtion into your trip.

Adventure and discovery
Do you want to escape into the wilderness of Yosemite or run with the natives of the Amazon? Perhaps get lost in the flutes of the Anasazi in the Red Rocks of Arizona? Use your time away to find the excitement that you are craving; add one to your “Bucket List”.

Giving back
For some, charity can be the most rewarding experience of all. Volunteering in your travels allows you to positively contribute to the local community or the environment. And you can now learn almost any new skill in the stimulating environment of a new country and different culture – from languages to cooking, from game ranger skills to journalism.

Travel together, travel right
Think about who you are traveling with as well as what they want out of their trip. Some journeys are better traveled alone, while others beg to be experienced with others. There are many aspects that factor into having a great vacation, aspects which are often very individual. You should be certain that the experience is going to be enjoyable for everyone involved.

Learn from experience
Think about the best vacation you have ever had, and then think about what made it that way. Figure out what the highlights were and what makes you happy when abroad. Was it the destination, or the people you were with? The sights, food, or activities? Even though our tastes change over time, figure out how best to repeat the same level of enjoyment for who you are today.

Happy traveling!